Community Forums

Tillerman7 · 07-21-2016, 10:37 AM

Wanted to ask everyone if they felt the air ride 5th wheel tongues are a worthy investment. The idea seems sound in theory but wanted to see if anyone has personal experience with them. I should have mentioned I will be pulling the 5th wheel with a Dodge 2500 diesel. Please advise.

jlb27537 · 07-21-2016, 11:04 AM

If you are towing with a class 5 or up truck, a good idea, I just do not feel it is needed with a class 4 and down.

jimcumminsw · 07-21-2016, 12:04 PM

Are you asking about a air ride pin box? Such as a Trail Air pin box?

If so I have pulled two different 5er's with this type of a pin box and will never ever pull a 5er without one again. The air ride pin box helps to smooth out the ride between the truck and trailer due to the uneven road surfaces. In my humble opinion the air ride pin box eliminates up to 90% of the discomfort when towing with a static style pin box.

DMTTRANSPORT · 07-21-2016, 12:10 PM

Worth the investment

Tillerman7 · 07-21-2016, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimcumminsw

Are you asking about a air ride pin box? Such as a Trail Air pin box?

If so I have pulled two different 5er's with this type of a pin box and will never ever pull a 5er without one again. The air ride pin box helps to smooth out the ride between the truck and trailer due to the uneven road surfaces. In my humble opinion the air ride pin box eliminates up to 90% of the discomfort when towing with a static style pin box.

Yes, that is exactly what I am referring to... the TrailAir pin box. Thank you!

rugersdad · 07-22-2016, 06:48 AM

Yes to the air ride pin box and it saves wear and tear on the camper I believe.

jlb27537 · 07-22-2016, 08:26 AM

There are 2 forces involved. The fore and aft jerking and the vertical movement of the pin.

The air ride pin will take care of the up and down, if you are towing with a SRW, over loaded, with air bags, then yes the ride will be smoother. But the fore and aft forces, called chucking, will still be there.

If you are towing with a truck with a stiff suspension, Yes, a air pin will reduce the shock to the trailer.

With a trailer that has enough pin weight to properly load the tow vehicle, a Mor/Ryde pin box would be another option. It is designed to allow the pin to move about 1 3/4" both front and back and about 1/2" sideways.

My trailer has the Mor/Ryde rubber pin box, I tow with a DRW truck. I have changed the front overload spring pad stop to the same height as the rear. I have between 32-3700 lbs of pin weight. The movement on the pin is about 3" front to back and I can not imagine a smoother ride.

Some trailer brands have the wheels moved forward to lighten the pin weight, they say you can tow with a 3/4T truck. Too light of pin will cause the trailer to rotate on the axles and cause a lot of up/down motion at the pin. (needing a air pin box?) One mfg'r had a recall on some of their trailers to relocate the axles rearward or to add weight to the pin in a attempt to get them to tow properly. (google it)

Do not get hung up on pin type, stand back and look at wheel location, you are going to tow this thing and you want a trailer that is going to TOW good. Look at a single axle cargo trailer with a 10' box. A properly built trailer will have the axle 6' back from the front of the box with 4' behind the axle. Now add the tongue of 3' or so and you have a good pulling trailer.

Happy shopping

Benji343 · 07-22-2016, 07:23 PM

How do they help when a "sidewinder" is in the mix??

jlb27537 · 07-23-2016, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benji343

How do they help when a "sidewinder" is in the mix??

You probably should check the trailer frame warranty if you install a "sidewinder" type hitch. To me a "Sidewinder" is a product to fix a problem of towing with the wrong truck.

jimcumminsw · 07-23-2016, 03:07 PM

When I was in the market looking for improvement on a pin box for my second fiver I looked at all three after market pin boxes. Such as the Demco Glide, Mor Ryde and the TrailAir. In my research I did a free body diagram with the forces involved to figure out which one would work for me. I decided that the Trail Air Pin box would suit my needs on my Cougar and on my Cedar Creek.

Now TrailAir has provided another feature for some of their pin boxes now called Trailair Tri Glide Pin Box. See attached link this might provide the pin box that you would like.Ultra-Fab Products, Inc.| - Trailair Pin Box - Model L07 TRI-GLIDE

shovelhead86 · 07-23-2016, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlb27537

If you are towing with a class 5 or up truck, a good idea, I just do not feel it is needed with a class 4 and down.

What is a Class 4 or 5 truck?

Cummins12V98 · 07-23-2016, 03:20 PM

My RV has at least 5,600# pin and weighs 23K. I changed out the 5/8" bolts to 3/4" frame bolts. Really works well.

Benji343 · 07-24-2016, 03:56 PM

Essentially...yes. The dealer installed it as I have a Dodge with the built in side work boxes. Which while very handy, could/would hinder the turning of the trailer.

TXiceman · 07-24-2016, 05:00 PM

I went the route of a Trailer Saver TS air ride hitch and the Demco Glide Ride pin box.

Sure settled down the truck and trailer.

TS3 Air-Ride Hitch - Trailer Saver

As for the use in light duty trucks, as opposed to MDT and larger, the 3/4 and 1 ton truck benefit from the air ride hitches.

Our trailer is at 19,500# and 4250# pin weight.

Ken